Standing before G-d: Personal Encounters on the Holiest Days of the Year

This past Wednesday night, Jews around the world started the observance of the Yamim Noraim – the ten Days of Awe began with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and will culminate at Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). During these ten days, Jews stand before G-d with a sense of humility and self-reflection – considering their actions during the past year and seeking forgiveness for the violation of Judaism’s sacred commandments. We literally stand before G-d and repeat again and again, “For the sin which I have committed…forgive us, pardon us and grant us atonement.” These are days devoted to private introspection and probing one’s individual sense of right and wrong.

The observance of Rosh Hashanah begins this penitence process which intensifies considerably on Yom Kippur that includes a 24-hour fast and a full day of prayer in the synagogue.

And while these holy days focus on personal self-improvement, they conclude with a strong message of communal unification through the observance of Sukkoth (the Festival of Booths) and Simchat Torah, celebrating the end of the reading of the Torah and beginning the reading once again.

Each year as I sit in my synagogue, I not only engage in personal self-reflection, I consider that millions of Jews around the world are doing the same. Today, the Jewish people around the world face serious challenges that threaten our unity and continuity. The forces of assimilation are testing the very foundations of our faith and a growing rift between the observant and the secular, between the old and the young and between those engaged in communal life and those who are not.

Rabbinic literature suggests that disunity among the Jewish people has been the single most significant cause of our long and difficult history. On the other hand, Jewish unity – mutual respect, understanding and love for our fellow Jew – will hasten a return to K’lal Yisrael – the whole of the Jewish people. Through acceptance and tolerance, we can strengthen Jewish identity and reunify our people.

May this New Year bring peace to the people of Israel and restore unity, purpose and commitment to Jews around the world.